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Smashing Pumpkins: "I'llhave the last laugh"

You’ve talked about other ‘90s bands being sellouts, is doing a re-release of your back catalogue a sell out move?
That’s a dumb question. That’s one of those set up, journalist dumb questions. Come on I’m 45, you’ve got to do a little better than that one.

Alright. Machina II is a brilliant album, have you ever thought about releasing it properly, maybe when you re-issue the others?
Yes. Our sell-out move, for Machina, is we’re going to remix the whole record and put it in its official sequence the way I’d hoped for in the beginning. I wrote it as a rock opera double album type of thing, so we’re going to remix the whole thing. I’ve already talked to Flood, and he’s been indicating he wants to be involved with that part of the process, and then we’ll finally finish the album, the way it was meant to be. How was that? Did that pass the Pitchfork meter of integrity? Me reaching into my own pockets to remix my own records so I can convince kids who didn’t like them the first time the first time to buy them again?

“I’ve made some of my best music when I’ve been fucking miserable.”

I think that’s good, I think the fans have been waiting to hear that for a long time.
Very good.

What about the current incarnation of the band, can you see yourself touring and recording with it for the next ten years?
I don’t like to put timeframes, because like I said I don’t take anything for granted, but I’m really happy and I hope that we stay together. I really like the band, I like the fact that everybody’s involved, I like the fact that we all participated on the album, and worked hard on it together. This is the sunny version of the band. I was in the dark version of the band, this is the sunny version, so I hope the sunny version lasts as long as possible.

You said in a blog that you’re at a good place in your life. Is it possible to make relevant rock and roll while being happy and at peace?
I haven’t proven that point yet. The answer is ‘I don’t know’, I’ve made some of my best music when I’ve been fucking miserable.

Do you feel like you have to pissed off at something in order to make good music?
No, I don’t honestly, between you and me [chuckles] I don’t believe in that theory. I don’t believe the best art is made by depressed people. The greatest creation ever is what God made of this world, Australia’s one of the most beautiful places on Earth, there was no depression there, when whomever made that place. So, I don’t believe that. The greatest things don’t come out of depression, the greatest things come out of love. And the greatest things in life oftentimes go unnoticed. It’s the little things that happen between people who love each other. Things like albums and stuff, those are postcards, little postcards in life. They’re fine, and they seem important, but they’ll all end up in the dust like everything else.

The Smashing Pumpkins headline Splendour In The Grass 2012 alongside Jack White, Bloc Party, Lana Del Rey and more. Tickets are on sale from 9am today – Friday 27th April – head here for full details.

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Hahaha, what a jerkwad. I was thinking of going to his sideshow if it was announced, but fuck that. He won't get a cent from me until I get a re-released album remixed by Optimus Prime and Silverchair.

To me, Billy has always been one of those people who, despite the fact I like the Pumpkins (well, most of their stuff), I have always thought he was a giant twat. I don't think I will bother with them this time around - last time was bad enough seeing him wank into the microphone. That said, cool interview David. Nice work.

great interview!
re the "sellout" question though, c'mon that was completely loaded!!
& why not stick up for what you were asking? what's the worst that could happen? billy storms out of interview proving himself a twat? you missed your chance man!!

great interview!
re the "sellout" question though, c'mon that was completely loaded!!
& why not stick up for what you were asking? what's the worst that could happen? billy storms out of interview proving himself a twat? you missed your chance man!!

great interview!
re the "sellout" question though, c'mon that was completely loaded!!
& why not stick up for what you were asking? what's the worst that could happen? billy storms out of interview proving himself a twat? you missed your chance man!!

of course it was loaded but i wanted to either get an interesting reaction or for him to defend himself. anyone can ask questions like 'your career's been amazing what's your inspiration for writing music' blah blah, but i think to get the most out of an interview you have to challenge the person at least a little bit. especially someone like billy who dishes it out to other bands himself.
in terms of 'what's the worst that could happen', it was a phone interview, so he could have easily just hung up. i could have stuck with the question and pursued it further, sure, but i think if you've only got 15 or 20 minutes with someone it's a better use of time to move onto something else where you'll get something out of them, as opposed to arguing over something and either wasting time or having them just end the interview over it.

from what billy was saying the teargarden by kaleidyscope idea is over and he's not sure what will happen after oceania's release. from other interviews i think he's hinted that he'll just go back to making 'normal albums'.

of course it was loaded but i wanted to either get an interesting reaction or for him to defend himself. anyone can ask questions like 'your career's been amazing what's your inspiration for writing music' blah blah, but i think to get the most out of an interview you have to challenge the person at least a little bit. especially someone like billy who dishes it out to other bands himself.
in terms of 'what's the worst that could happen', it was a phone interview, so he could have easily just hung up. i could have stuck with the question and pursued it further, sure, but i think if you've only got 15 or 20 minutes with someone it's a better use of time to move onto something else where you'll get something out of them, as opposed to arguing over something and either wasting time or having them just end the interview over it.

I'm pleased that he's scrapped the Tiergarden By Kaleidoscope idea. What a disaster that was! I enjoyed this interview, but mostly in a "what's that idiot on about this time" way. Well done working with such a knob and still pulling together a decent article.